MORNING JOURNAL/SAM GREENE
The Lorain Honor Guard presents the colors during the annual memorial service in honor of fallen Elyria Police Officer James Kerstetter yesterday at the Elyria Police Department.

ELYRIA -- Slain Elyria police Sgt. James Kerstetter went above and beyond what he was asked to do while on the force. Although that required more work time, Kerstetter always found time for the people most important to him: his wife and three daughters.

"He was dedicated to his family and he always talked about his daughters whether it was their good grades, Girl Scouts or gymnastics," Lt. William Pelko said. "He always talked about their future, what they would do in life; he had a plan for you guys."

Yesterday, family, friends, community members and fellow officers joined together for a memorial service behind the Elyria police station where Kerstetter's memorial rock sits. Three years ago yesterday, Kerstetter was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officers from Avon Lake, Grafton, Lorain, Sheffield Village and the Lorain County Sheriff's Office also were present to pay their respects.

Pelko said the one thing Kerstetter wanted in life was his girls, Misty, Shelby and Bailey, to be successful. He said he will never forget the day when Kerstetter was talking about going back to college.

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"I remember looking at him and questioning him and telling him how it was going to take time away from his family, his work, his friends," Pelko said. "He just turned to me and he said, 'Bill, I'm not doing this for me,' he said. 'I am doing this for my kids, for my daughters.' He went on and explained the high expectations he had for you," he said to Kerstetter's daughters.

Kerstetter was an individual who led by example, Pelko said, and believed everyone should go above and beyond, do the right thing, give 100 percent and raise children to be good people, just like he did.

"Sponge (Kerstetter's nickname) may be gone, but he's definitely not forgotten; let's keep the spirit of Jimmy alive," Pelko said.

Kerstetter was shot and killed by Ronald Palmer inside Palmer's 326 18th St. home. Palmer was shot and killed outside his house a few minutes later by officers responding to Kerstetter's radio call that he had been shot. Police Chief Duane Whitely said Kerstetter was able to radio police two times during the shooting. An investigative report released by the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office, said Kerstetter was "ambushed" in a stairwell and killed in the living room of the home.

Whitely said Kerstetter was invited inside the home. Two shots were fired from the basement that went underneath Kerstetter's bullet-proof vest, Whitely said.

When Kerstetter was knocked down, he was beaten by Palmer, Whitely said. Officers performed CPR on Kerstetter before he was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead, Whitely said.

Whitely said during the service that after three years it still doesn't feel real. Kerstetter is thought about every day, Whitely said, and he was always smiling.

"While there are times of sadness, there are good times too," Whitely said. "If we don't take steps to remember Jimmy now, no one will take those steps in the future."

He added they will continue to have a memorial service every year.

Mayor Holly Brinda said during the service that Elyria police sacrifice their lives knowing that they might not come home to hang up their cap. They don't ask for gratitude, help or respect and sometimes it's often too late to offer the words, she said.

"To our current police officers, the family of James Kerstetter and our other fallen officers, please believe me when I say that the words 'thank you' can not ever come close to conveying how blessed we feel for sacrifices made to protect and better the lives entrusted in your care," Brinda said. "No words can possibly capture the grief felt by the loss of Elyria's hero, but as we move forward without his physical presence, I know the legacy of officer Kerstetter continues to evolve into one of more and more inspirations."

Brinda said that she can't imagine what his family felt that night or how they've dealt with the loss for the last three years. Kerstetter has inspired current officers to be better at their jobs, to be brave, to do what's right in the face of fear and to embrace every moment with loved ones, Brinda said.

Kerstetter's sister, Kathy Kerstetter, said that she and her family deeply appreciate the support of the community.

"We support a lot of the functions they have like the 5K," she said. "It was a chilly day, people thought it would rain; Jimmy wouldn't let it rain."

Hinckley said he never knew Kerstetter, but he feels his life has been impacted. When he was serving as a chaplain at another department, he was "struck" by the news report.

"When attending the funeral, the words of his daughters and what they spoke at his funeral is still with me," Hinckley, who has two teenage daughters, said. "The way they spoke of their father makes me want to be a better dad."

He added that Kerstetter made a difference in thousands of people's lives.

"It's amazing to me that the mere mention of his name, so many people in this city and beyond are proud to announce that they not only knew officer Kerstetter, but they considered him a friend," Brinda said. "Officer Kerstetter continues to make Elyria safer and our lives better even now. As Arthur Pike said, what you've done for ourselves alone dies with us; what you've done for others and the world remains and is immortal. Officer Kerstetter, you are immortal."